Travel and travel options to/from the Deep River area (Rental Cars, Taxis, Bus, Airport Limo, Flying) - Getting to and things to do in the Chalk River and Deep River, Upper Ottawa Valley. Ontario, Canada area - Lachlan Cranswick's Personal Homepage

Lachlan passed away in January 2010. As a memorial, this site remains as he left it.Therefore the information on this site may not be current or accurate and should not be relied upon.
For more information follow this link

General advice received from those who claim to know (including Winter options)

If you don't like the idea of driving from Ottawa or Toronto to Deep River/Chalk River,
consider getting the airport van or bus to Deep River, then renting a car at the Deep River
office of National Car Rentals. It is also possible to get a taxi to and from the lab (cost is
supposedly around Cdn $25 for a one-way trip from Deep River to Chalk River labs) if
you hate driving yourself or don't have a drivers licence.

Another option is to get a local flight from Toronto to Pembroke airport - then rent a car at Pembroke airport which
is around a 30 minute drive to Deep River.
There is a National Car Rentals and a
Budget Car Rental at Pembroke airport.

If you're visiting for more than a few days and arriving in Ottawa
Airport; using a rental car from the airport would make the Ottawa-Deep
River cheaper and quicker compared to taking a bus to Pembroke or Deep
River (and then renting a car). Plus the car is much faster than the bus
(~2 hours by car from Ottawa to Deep River vs more than 3 hours using
the bus).

As to how many free mile etc that you get with the rental car, this seems to vary. Often you seem to get about 200km/day.

At least a midsize car is recommended for winter driving as it would be more stable on the road.

However, there is the option of getting public transport (air, bus or airport limo) to Pembroke or Deep River and
then renting a car. For those who want to minimize on the driving, especially in Winter.

"Winter
Driving Survival Kit: it is a good thing to keep a
winter survival kit in your vehicle. Having essential supplies can
provide some comfort and safety for you and your passengers should you
become stranded. Recommended items are: ice scraper/snowbrush, shovel,
sand or other traction aid, tow rope or chain, booster cables, road
flares or warning lights, gas line antifreeze, flashlight and batteries,
first aid kit, fire extinguisher, small tool kit, extra clothing and
footwear, blanket, non-perishable energy foods (chocolate or granola
bars, juice, instant coffee, tea, soup, bottled water), candle with a
small tin can and matches."

"Chimneys:
We urge you to make sure your chimney is in safe working order. Fires
often result from a build-up of creosote in the chimney. A blocked
chimney can also cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to enter your home, so
check for signs of corrosion or deterioration and for birdsí or
squirrels nests. Your chimney should be cleaned and inspected at least
once a year by a professional wood energy technician. "

"Fire Safety . Gift Idea:
Looking for that special gift for family and friends? What better way to
show you care than to give a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector to
someone you love. You must have a fire alarm on every level of your home
and outside sleeping areas. Every home should also have a carbon
monoxide detector that will alert occupants to the presence of these
deadly gas. "

"Bears:
Along with the nice weather also comes the bears. I have been informed
that several bears have been sited on Jennings road. Please be extra
careful with children when at Old Mackey's Park. Bears are attracted to
any food source. If that attractant is removed, the nuisance bear
problem usually disappears. Property owners, cottagers, campers and
local residents can minimize the chance of encountering bears by
following some simple steps:"

Store garbage in steel bear-proof containers, or in airtight containers inside
a storage area that is not accessible to bears.

Put garbage out on the morning of collection, not the night before

Wash garbage containers and dumpsters frequently and use disinfectant to cut odours

Doctors warned people to be aware of the signs of frostbite in
extremities such as fingers, toes, noses and ears.

Dr. Luc Bessette, who works in the emergency room at St. Luc Hospital in
Montreal, said people should stay inside when temperatures drop below
-30 degrees unless it's crucial to go outside.

Frostbite acts like a severe burn, he said, damaging soft tissues to the
point they can't heal on their own. "There is destruction of the tissue
to the extent that some people every year need amputation," he said.

Other Canadian Travel Hints Received

Via visitors to Canada (July/August 2006):

You can add Quebec City to your list of big towns/cities to avoid. It
is a sprawling ugly conglomerate. Even the old city is a bit of a
hodgepodge of different architectures. Things weren't helped by massive
public works going on everywhere so the traffic was a shambles.

Compared to Quebec City, Ottawa was an oasis of tranquillity and style. On the
other hand we really liked Montreal. We arrived there on Friday and our
hotel was in the Latin Quarter in the middle of various social
activities so it was a lively weekend with drag concerts etc. and we
found a great bistro to hang out in - the Jardin Nelson, with courtyard
dining and continuous jazz from different small groups.

Buses to Deep River/Pembroke

(information correct on 6th January 2004) To buy tickets near Deep River, you now have to
go to the Greyhound Canada agent at Tree Top Restaurant in Chalk River (which is open 24 hours a day).
The Greyhound bus stops here for pickups. If you want to board the bus at Deep River you have to
flag it down - and it looks like you need to purchase tickets prior to boarding the bus, or have correct change.

For Ottawa to Deep River, adult cost is Cdn $39.06 for single busfair and Cdn $78.11
for a return busfair (Feb 2003- check the Greyhound website)

There are also direct buses (though a long ride) from Toronto to Deep River,
refer to the Greyhound website at
http://www.greyhound.ca/.

(information was accurate during January 2003) You catch the Deep River to Ottawa Bus at the "Petro Canada" on Highway 17. You can buy bus
tickets at the Quik Stop Convenience Store at Petro Canada on Highway 17. If you were dropped off here - you would
walk back up the highway to the traffic lights and turn left to get to the Deep River Downtown Business District and/or
the Neutron Users apartment on Troyes Street.

"Vacationers looking to get away from Deep River for the weekend or
visitors on their way home may have noticed that leaving town has
recently become a difficult task.
Petro-Canada Quickstop on Highway 17 is no longer the designated Greyhound location in Deep River.
Passengers are currently being picked up outside the Bear's Den Lounge
and Motel, but tickets cannot be purchased there or anywhere else in
town. Instead, exact change must be given to the driver.
Deep River is no longer a regular stop on Greyhound routes, but a "flag
stop" where passengers must wave down the bus. "

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